The Weirdest People in the World. How the People of the West Came to Have Psychological Uniqueness and Succeeded Remarkably

Unlike most of the modern world and most people who have ever lived, the people of the West are characterized by high individualism, self-absorption, and a focus on control. They concentrate on themselves — their qualities, achievements, and aspirations — rather than on relationships and social roles. How did their population become so psychologically distinct? What role did these psychological differences play in the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe over the past centuries?
In the book "The Weirdest People in the World. How the People of the West Came to Have Psychological Uniqueness and Succeeded Remarkably," Joseph Henrich draws on cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explore these and other questions. He illuminates the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, as well as the profound impact of these cultural transformations on human psychology. Tracing these changes through the history of antiquity and late antiquity, Henrich shows that the most fundamental institutions of kinship and marriage underwent dramatic changes under the pressure of the Roman Catholic Church. It is these changes that led to the emergence of the psychology of the people of the West, which would develop alongside impersonal markets, professional specialization, and free competition, laying the foundation for the modern world.